Chapters WARNING
Sensitive readers and others must be aware that the story in question is brutal and dark at times.
It must be also noted that the poem used in the following chapter, “The Old Lie”, was a poem written by Wilfred Owen ( Rest in peace dude ) during World War I, and published posthumously in 1920. The title, “Dulce et Decorum est” .
That is all from me. Hope you enjoy my questionable and rookie style writing. Peace out !
In all my dreams before my helpless sight,
If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori.
“ It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country ”
Dear Princess
As you have ordained unto me to investigate Squad 13 three weeks ago, I have uncovered some startling information. Information that the public and perhaps even yourself were not aware. Unaware that the former Captain of the royal guard, Shining Armour, and Prince Blueblood were two of the three original members of Squad 13 !
Even now, as I write to you. My hoof trembles as I put ink to paper. I just have no idea what to speculate on this matter nor do I think it will matter. The old records show that they left shortly after it was formed. Shining armour took the trials to qualify as a royal guard and Prince Blueblood left the service entirely. Of course, that is not all that I found.
It is really suspicious. There are no records of the third founder. I tried my best your Majesty but his, or her, records just do not exist. I have a feeling somepony is hiding something.
As I was, I shall continue my efforts in digging deeper into this case until any further orders from you, your highness.
Yours Faithfully
Moon Light
The quill gently floated to the side of the parchment which began to slowly crumble into silver dusts. The unicorn sighed as his gaze followed the remnants of the parchment as it drifted out of the window, embracing the night sky, hopefully finding its way to her highness.
Moon Light squinted at the grandfather clock. ‘ One o clock already ? ‘ He inwardly chuckled. ‘If only I put the same effort last year. ’ A yawn came over him, his body protesting him to finally get some sleep. ‘Never !’ He wondered aloud, shaking his head violently. “Just one more file and then I’ll catch some snooze.”
It was actually his last file. If there was nothing meaningful like nine out of the ten of the other files, he would have no choice but inform the princess of his failure. His pathetic failure.
The unicorn said a silent prayer before opening the file, his eyes viciously scanning the lines and everything in between. His spirits began to fall as he turned each page. Nothing but statements and clues he already found.
“COME ON !” He threw the file on the floor, engulfing in silver flames. Moon Light paced around the room. “Think Moon, Think !” The Unicorn racked his brain. There was no way in Hell will he tell the princess he failed. Ever.
Moon Light was, as of now, at a dead end concerning the fateful day of the squad’s tragic demise. But he had another path. The third founder. Albeit no records of such a pony in the Military's record books, they had some form of connection with Prince Shining Armour and Prince Blueblood.
Moon Light’s mind lit up. All he needed to know was were the connection started. According to the rule books of the guards, not the Solar or Lunar guards, rookie squads were made by the new recruits themselves upon joining. The fact that Prince Shining Armour joined the military service as soon as he finished school, the same time as Prince Blueblood.....
Moon Light felt giddy all of a sudden as he rushed past the grandfather clock, opening the door. “School records it is. To the Library !” He said with gusto as he raced down the stairs.
"Well. That was a waste of time." He snorted as walked on the streets, the Canterlot library behind him. The library was open, surprisingly as it was currently 1:00 pm. Aarghhh ! All he wanted was one record book. Just one ! But no. They had been all cleared out to make room for new books. This damn city is so stupid!
Moon Light sighed and tossed his head in frustration. I'm going to go nuts if I carry on at this rate . His thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice behind him.
"Hey, mister?"
He stopped and sighed. This is getting irritating. Moon Light turned around slowly. It was the pegasus mare from before. The one that had been following him ever since he was assigned this mission. She looked about his age, about 22 years old mabye younger. Her mane was brown and very long, barely scraping the floor. She wore a yellow sun dress that matched her eyes and went well with her ice white coat. And she had the same smile that reminded him of a crush of his back in high school.
"Yes? What do you want ?" He said, not caring how rude his tone sounded.
She smiled shyly. "Can you direct me to my apartment ?"
Unbelievable. Moon Light thought. Is she still carrying on with the charade ? Who is awake at this hour anyway. He rolled his eyes as he charged his horn. "...I cannot believe you are part of her majesty service." He muttered.
The mare dropped her smile. Her wings flaring, revealing feather blades. "That was not a nice thing to say ! And FYI. I'm part of the assassination division !"
Moon Light looked unfazed as the mare dodged his bolt of magic and sped towards him readying to slice his neck. The unicorn effortlessly dodged it, grabbing her tail as she passed him before flinging her hard on her back.
To her credit, she tried to wake up, although she was definitely in extreme pain. Moon Light pinned her down . She was breathing heavily, her eyes were of indignation but there was a hint of fear.
He was amused when realised who it was. "They sent you ? Huh. I think you should stick to teaching Sunflower. Killing ponies isn't your cup of tea."
Professor Sunflower, the youngest teacher ever to be inducted in a Canterlot College , at 20 years old, she was currently teaching advanced magic to seventh years. He remembered it was all over the newspapers.
Sunflower glared at the pony on top of her. "You going to kill me ?"
Her breath smelt of hot choclate. "Yes." Her breathing hitched. Tears were threatening to come out but she maintained her angry glare.
Moon Light was impressed. He was expecting her to beg for mercy ."Ok, I was joking. I'm not going to kill you, just give me the record book you hiding and you free to go."
She searched his eyes for deception before finally relenting. "Fine but you have to get off of me so I ca-EEP ! Wwhat are you doing ?"
Moon Light ignored the hail of abuse coming from her mouth as his hooves went into her dress, fishing for the record book.
"You perverted scumbag !" Sunflower said, her cheeks red.
Moon Light took the record book, getting off of her. "I'm not a perverted scumbag. I was not aroused in the least."
"W-W-Wait ! What's that suppose to mean ! Hey ! I was voted prettiest mare of the month ! Come back here !"
Moon Light was back in his house, sitting next to a roaring fire he just made. He studied the record book, his eyes narrowing. It was no record book. It was a journal of a Professor.
"Hmmmmmmmmmmm..... I'm sure I'll be able to read some before hitting the hay." Moon Light shifted himself properly to a comfortable spot and began to read.
Author's Note
This story will be updated tomorrow. Please like and comment, it gives me courage to write more
"Don't do it Cobalt."
Cobalt looked up from his cafeteria lunch and gave the white-coated stallion in question a goofy grin, his mouth still full of food.
"hmghfhftfthfthfhtfht."
''What? Come on Cobalt I am being serious."
"Argg, Shining Armor you know he's not going to listen", said the other white-coated stallion sitting next to him. "I mean, when did he ever listen. Remember the pancake incident? It took the cleaners two weeks to scrape all those pancakes from the princess's office ceiling."
"Those pancakes were something else though", Shining Armor said as he gazed dreamily at the ceiling." I never knew Cobalt could cook."
The blond maned stallion frowned at Shining. "It seems somepony forgot about the events that transpired after that."
Shining Armor smiled sheepishly as he blew a blue strand of mane from his face."Come on Blueblood. It was a harmless prank."
"A harmless prank that would have gotten us expelled!", interjected Blueblood." I mean which team are you on Shining. Have you forgotten how significant this day is to you? For all of us? It's the last day of our final year at the academy. The last thing we need is another detention because of a certain oaf who always hauls us into trouble."
Shining Armor gave a heavy sigh of defeat, knowing fully well what Blueblood said was true. He pushed his food tray away and levitated his bag on the table.
"He's brought up a valid point Cobalt", said Shining as he revealed a document from his bag. "Recruits for the guards are being processed today and if I get into trouble they would certainly reject my application ."
"And then you will have nothing to impress Cadence on your date tonight.", summed up Cobalt as he made a beeline for Shinings food tray.
Shining Armor blushed furiously, his face turning beet red.''N-n-no, that's
not the reason I wanted to join. It was part of the reason but ever since I was a foal I dreamt of becoming a guard. To protect the weak and defenceless. To escort the princess herself...."
Cobalt grinned."I think we all know which princess you are talking about."
Shining Armour once again gave an embarrassed look and took an attempt to flee from Cobalt's teasing. "Uhh, I got to go and submit these papers. See you all later!"No sooner had the last words left his mouth, shining armor took off with a speed towards the corridor.
"I'm telling you that unicorn could beat any earth pony when he's flustered ", chortled Cobalt.
Cobalt looked at Blueblood who was casually wiping his mouth with a napkin. "You seem somewhat okay with this."
"Regarding what?" replied Blueblood as he levitated the napkin towards the bin.
"You know...about Shining and Candence, you nitwit", said Cobalt rolling his eyes.
"Yeah, keep rolling your eyes, you might eventually find a brain", snarked Blueblood." I don't have any objections, now don't get me wrong. I care for her, she's family, and even though I'm her cousin we essentially have the bond of siblings, and besides, I already gave Shining the big brother talk."
Cobalt raised an eyebrow." The big brother talk?"
Blueblood smirked as he levitated his chemistry notebook." I just warned him what would happen should he break her heart."
The idea of Blueblood intimidating Shining Armor sent Cobalt into a frenzy of laughter.
Blueblood frowned at the laughing unicorn." What is so amusing?"
"Nothing, absolutely nothing", Cobalt said with a grin as he stood up from the table, pushing Shining armor's tray of food(what was left of it)." Now I need to go, so catch you lat..."
Cobalt was suddenly plopped backed into his place as Blueblood's magic aura surrounded him.
"No you don't", said Blueblood with a small smirk." You gonna have to strive harder to weasel your way out of this one, Cobalt. We not done talking about your planned agenda for today."
Cobalt sighed in defeat."Do we have to do this?"
"Yes. You are not going to wreck this day for us", said Blueblood as he levitated his quill, finishing last-minute chemistry homework."Now be a good colt until Shining arrives."
Cobalt tried to break free from Blueblood's magic but to no avail. Bluebloods magic was extremely powerful and not even his earth pony strength could overpower it.
"Alright.Alright.I'll stay still so long as you let go of me", said Cobalt panting as his champagne pink mane covered his left eye."There go the two hours setting my hairstyle."
Blueblood looked at Cobalt's face, looking for signs of treachery. His face was surprisingly neutral, which caught Blueblood off guard, Cobalt is never neutral but Blueblood relented and released Cobalt from his magic. Maybe, just maybe he is taking this seriously.
Cobalt kept to his word and for the next one minute, there was silence as Blueblood carried on with his homework, finishing the last chemical equation.
"Cobalt have you made your decision yet?", said Blueblood as he put his notebook away. He nearly forgot but thank Mom's sun he did not.
"Yes, I have made up my mind", said Cobalt as he chewed on a hayburger (where the hell he got a hayburger from?).
That took Blueblood by surprise. He had offered Cobalt last week to join him in his royal duties and eventually train to become an ambassador. He offered both shining armor and blueblood but shining armor already had a job that he wanted to pursue which also included the filly of his dreams. I mean talk about killing two birds with one stone (don't let Fluttershy catch you for saying that!). The job would fit Cobalt perfectly. He is energetic and likes to talk a lot amongst other things...*cough*... pancakes stuck on the ceiling.
"I'm joining the solar guards".
Bluebloods brain stalled as he registered what Cobalt was saying.
Oh no...
"Cobalt don't you dare... ."
"You did not mind Shining Armor with Cadence".
"That's different", seethed Blueblood."She's not my mom ! First of all, it is wrong to woo a friend's mother and secondly, she's over 10000s years old! You only 17!"
"Age is but a number...Son",grinned Cobalt.
Blueblood glared at him." And jail is just a room".
At that moment Shining armor arrived, looking extremely happy."Guys, you would not believe what..."
Shining Armor looked at the two of them, confused at the scene before him."Did I miss something?"